His Mystery

Three

Jacob

It took me three days to get my affairs in order. After seeing Angelica, I called the realtor and told her to list the house for sale. I didn’t want anything from it. Hell, they could take the furniture for all I cared. Then I called the Simpsons, offering them all the horses and animals for free. I just wanted to get out of there. The faster I did it, the faster I could escape. The home that I thought would be my sanctuary was now tainted by her.

Pulling out of the driveway, I dialed Kevin.

“Took you long enough,” he answered, his voice thick with sarcasm.

“I’m ready for Italy,” I said, the weight of it settling on me. The United States had always been my home—despite the miles I’d traveled with the military—but now, it felt foreign. My chest tightened as I spoke the words, knowing there was no going back.

“Perfect. The jet’s ready in thirty minutes. I’ll send you the coordinates,” he replied, and hung up before I could say another word.

Kevin’s text pinged almost immediately, snapping me back to the present. I entered the coordinates into the GPS and drove the thirty minutes to the private airstrip, not allowing myself to dwell on the past.

When I arrived, the airstrip looked as exclusive as I expected. The jet waiting for me was the definition of luxury. The men standing near it radiated a vibe of “don’t fūck with me.” I parked the car and got out, walking toward the trunk. I grabbed the one thing I packed—a military duffle bag—and slammed the trunk shut.

“Williams?” One of the men called as he approached.

I nodded.

“Follow me. We’ll depart once you’re settled,” he said, gesturing toward the jet’s entrance.

“Thanks,” I muttered, following him inside.

The moment I stepped onto the jet, a cold sense of unease washed over me. Kevin owed me a hell of a lot of answers.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Williams. Would you like anything to drink?” The flight attendant asked, her voice smooth, almost a purr. Two weeks ago, I might’ve taken her to the back and lost myself for a while. Now, I couldn’t care less.

I shook my head and sank into my seat, buckling up and throwing my head back, feeling the weight of everything catching up to me.

Eighteen hours and six minutes later, we landed in Southern Italy. Stepping off the jet and onto the tarmac, I threw on my sunglasses, trying to hide the exhaustion in my eyes. Kevin was waiting, grinning like a jackass.

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” I muttered as I walked toward the trunk of the SUV, tossing my duffle bag inside.

“First, let’s get you out of the sun,” Kevin said, holding the SUV door open for me.

“Wow. How chivalrous,” I shot back, settling into the backseat. I didn’t even have to prompt him—he jumped into the front seat and began.

“It’s a security job. We’re paid to protect the boss and his family.”

The words barely processed before I leaned forward. “Who’s this ‘boss’ you’re talking about?”

“He’s in the mafia. Mateo Lombardi. He’s the capo of the south side. His head of security betrayed him, so Mateo killed him and gave me the job,” Kevin said with a casual shrug. “We needed more men, and you’re the one who made the call.”

I was stunned. “Wait, so you went from keeping the U.S. safe to joining the illegal side of the world?”

Kevin chuckled. “It’s not all bad. We don’t kill unless they come for us or the boss. But there's a rival—Beau Tarantino—who’s gunning for Mateo’s new woman. We protect him, and we protect her.”

“Just give me all the details. Don’t leave me hanging.” I crossed my arms, my patience fraying.

“Alright, alright.” Kevin sighed as if this was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. “Mateo Lombardi. Thirty years old. Aria Draghi. She’s twenty-three. Their relationship is… unconventional. Mateo kidnapped her first, but they fell for each other. Beau Tarantino runs the north side of Italy. Same age as Mateo, but he acts like a petulant child.”

“So, what’s the payout for this life, Kevin?” I asked, disbelief lacing my voice. “This better be worth it.”

He grinned, his eyes glinting. “I knew you were the right man for the job.”

I let out a long, slow breath, absorbing all the madness. “And you want me to work for *him*?” I paused, thinking for a second. “What’s in it for me?”

Kevin turned to me with a raised eyebrow. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

The SUV pulled up to a massive estate. It was the kind of place you only see in movies. My mouth went dry.

“How many people live here?” I asked, still trying to take it all in.

“A s**t ton. You’ll get used to it,” Kevin said with a grin as he opened the door.

I stepped out of the SUV, still reeling. As I grabbed my duffle bag, I followed Kevin through the back of the “castle”—his words, not mine. We arrived at what I could only describe as a military-grade bunker, filled with rows of bunk beds.

“What the hell is this?” I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief.

“This is where we stay. Fifty men, rotating every twelve hours,” Kevin explained nonchalantly. “We either guard the boss or go wherever he needs us.”

I looked around, processing this new reality. “When do I meet the boss?”

“You’ll meet him soon enough,” Kevin replied, “And I’m his head bodyguard.”

“You’re his head bodyguard?” I snorted. “So, does that make you the boss now?”

“For once, you can say that,” Kevin laughed, punching the air in mock victory.

I smirked. “Right. Just like old times, huh?”

“Yeah, except this time we’re not keeping the peace, we’re making it.” Kevin motioned toward an empty bunk. “Take it easy for today. Tomorrow, we’ll get you your first assignment.”

I nodded, still processing. This wasn’t my life anymore. This wasn’t anything like what I thought I was signing up for.

Inside the bathroom, the hot water in the shower was a welcome relief. I let the steam roll over me, clearing my head. Tomorrow was a new day—one that would be spent immersed in the world I never thought I’d be a part of.

I stepped out of the shower, threw on some clean clothes, and threw myself onto the thin mattress. Sleep came hard, my mind spinning.

But then, just as I drifted off, the familiar crackle of the earpiece jolted me awake.

“Jacob, we have a visual. From the heat cameras. Assess the situation before getting close to the suspect.”

I groaned, sinking back into the mattress. “Understood.”